The Pyrenees Mountains, located on the French-Spanish border, offer some of the best skiing conditions in Europe. If you are an avid skier looking for some great terrain, or a beginner looking to try something new, read on to learn about the best resorts around Barcelona to suit you.
Andorra’s Grandvalira
Andorra’s famous Grandvalira Ski Resort is a little farther than other locations, but totally worth it for the unbeatable terrain. The resort is a combination of two entities: Pas de la Casa/Grau Roig and Soldeu/El Tarter/Canillo. These resorts combined in 2003 to form Grandvalira, and with this came the joint lift pass to both resorts. Grandvalira is called the heart of Andorra, and is one of the most successful ski resorts in the world. It is the largest skiable area in the Pyrenees and southern Europe with a total of 215 km across 140 slopes. Full day passes are €57.50 for adults (when bought online), and half-day passes are €51.50. This season, Grandvalira Resorts have invested €17.5 million into improving their infrastructure and facilities, as well as their sustainability. Additionally, they have increased the number of activities on offer and have expanded their dining options, making it a truly great ski destination for short weekend break or a week away with family and friends!
La Molina
La Molina is a resort only two hours from the city, easily accessible by train, bus or car. Here, you can buy a range of tickets and passes, and with a whopping 63 slopes, there are runs for every type of skier. Moreover, there is a snow park with the biggest super-pipe in the Pyrenees. If you want a break from skiing, there are other fun winter activities such as snowshoeing, segways on snow, and even husky rides to enjoy. Additionally, for those who wish to admire the landscape, why not consider taking the cable car over the resort and experience the incredible panoramic views of the slopes. Although it’s perfect for a day trip, there are a number of accommodation options for those who want a longer stay. After a long day on the slopes you can kick back and relax at a number of delicious restaurants and fun bars. Grab a bite at La Ferme de Montagne, known for its good service and even better food. Afterwards, head over to Casino d’Alp for a drink in the middle of the village. Enjoy this mountain without breaking the bank!
La Masella
La Masella is only two hours from Barcelona, and is located in the next valley from La Molina. It’s famous for its night time skiing, made possible by its powerful lighting system that illuminates 13 slopes at low and medium altitude areas of the resort. The mountain has 65 slopes, and nine black runs for experienced skiers looking for a challenge. The resort offers an array of accommodation options: hotels, youth hostels, apartments, campgrounds, and bungalows. An adult day ticket costs €50 and you can get a discount for consecutive day tickets. Season passes for adults are sometimes offered so keep on the lookout for these, as well as discounts for large families, students, and more.
Vall de Núria
Vall de Núria is a much smaller mountain compared to the previous two, located in the province of Girona. Modest in size, with only 11 slopes, it’s perfect for families and beginners. It offers a ski school, equipment rental shop, group and private lessons, and a snowboarding park. The resort also offers special family packages including a railway ticket, ski pass, and access to the Leisure Park for each person. The Leisure Park has small and big sledging slopes, tubing, rock climbing for children, zip lines, and more. Here, you will also find various films and documentaries related to winter sports being screened as part of the Torelló Mountain Film Festival, which makes this an excellent option for those who are interested in winter sports, but prefer a more relaxed activity.
The mountain is easily accessible, just take the train from Barcelona-Sants or Plaça de Catalunya to Ribes de Freser and then jump on the mountain rack railway up to the resort. The whole journey only takes about 2 hours! This mountain railway provides you with a view of the spectacular landscape, while taking you up to heights of over 1,000 metres. It could be worth it just for the ride there!
Port del Comte
This resort is popular due to its location; it is the nearest ski-resort to Barcelona. Port del Comte has 37 ski slopes and 16 lifts, with a mix of green, blue, red, and black slopes so everyone can have a good time, no matter their ability. It’s open every day from 9am-5pm and has plenty of snow cannons for when warmer seasons hit. Like the other resorts it offers additional activities such as tubing, sledging, snowshoeing, dog sledging, and a snow park with jumps for all different skill levels. Finish the day off with a drink at the Sucre Bar, or grab a bite at the popular La Granja restaurant, located right off the mountain. Adult day passes are €42 during high season, and €36 during low season. Buy your pass now for a quick and easy ski trip close to Barcelona!
Vallter 2000
Just a two hour drive from Barcelona, is Vallter. It has a base of almost 2,000 metres high and about 18.75km of skiable terrain. It is a beautiful area of Catalonia; Ripollès, just a few kilometres from the river Ter and the Capçaleres del Ter and del Freser Natural Park.
Vallter 2000 is characterised by a large recreational park where those skiers, and those non- skiers can enjoy a fun toboggan run. There’s also a mini club called L’Esquirol, which is a snow garden especially for younger ones. There are various activities available for children here as well as introductory ski courses, making it an ideal destination for the whole family.
Vallter is a wonderful place to explore and make the most of the snow for those who love to ski and those who don’t.
All of these ski resorts offer great opportunities for fun, easy skiing during your stay in Barcelona, all just a short journey from the Catalan capital. So, there you have it! The top 6 Ski Resorts near Barcelona. If you enjoyed this, why not check out our blog on Andorra, for more skiing fun!
Leave a Reply